Quilt Prep: Batting Selection

One of the steps to sending a quilt to TCQ is to make a decision about the batting. You can use what we have in stock, send your own, or not use batting. Below we have information on all of these options, plus some important details and nuances within those general options.

By far, the most common choice is to use what we have in stock. We currently offer two types of batting WITHOUT the typical retail markup. Both options come 96” wide on rolls so there are no wrinkles, creases, or vacuum-packed issues to work through before we can use it in your quilt, and we have king packages for those quilts that are larger than 96”. 89% of our customers who use our batting choose the Cotton/Bamboo blend, and the rest use Wool.

50/50 Cotton/Bamboo

Our first, and most popular option is the 50/50 cotton/bamboo batting 96” wide at $3/linear foot. About 90% of the customers who choose our batting select this. Quilts whose smallest measurements exceed 90” will get a king batting package at a flat fee of $40. We use Kyoto by Luna, distributed by Moda, unless otherwise noted. This is a low loft, all natural, sustainable, hypoallergenic, and environmentally friendly option that is supremely soft and has a divine drape. It is a natural color and is by far the most common selection. For those looking for a comparison, it is most like 100% cotton and 100% bamboo.

Because it is appears to be made exclusively for distribution through Moda it does not have it’s own website, however, the manufacturer’s description on the back side of the Moda website is as follows: Kyoto is a bamboo and cotton blend. Bamboo is softer than cotton, biodegradable, hypo-allergenic and eco-friendly. Naturally antibacterial. It has been blended with cotton for the perfect natural quilt batting. Cleaned without harsh chemicals. Needle punched to a thin scrim using no binders or resins. Will not shift or shed. Stitch up to 8" apart. Shrinkage is approximately 3% after wash. Made in the USA.

100% Wool

Our second option is 100% wool batting 96” wide at $5/linear foot. Quilts whose smallest measurements exceed 90” will get a king batting package at a flat fee of $60. All natural, super breathable, and with a higher loft, this is a great option to make a warmer quilt or get more definition on the quilting. As of October 2023 we source our rolls exclusively from Quilter’s Dream. Here is a link to the Quilter’s Dream Wool website. It gives great information on the product including washing instructions.

See below for some examples of quilts that use wool.

Quick note: Prior to May of 2023 we used Hobbs Heirloom and Tuscany wool exclusively. (The two are the same product, just packaged differently.) Due to supply issues, we had to supplement with Quilter’s Dream and so the summer of 2023 became a mix of the two depending on what we could get our hands on. Eventually, we decided to move forward with the Quilter’s Dream rolls for consistency in supply and at the urging of many wool batting lovers.

Supply Your Own

A handful of our customers supply their own batting. We are always open to this as we want you to have what you prefer inside of your quilt. If you choose this avenue, be sure whatever you select is at least 4” larger than your quilt top on all 4 sides. (IE a 60”x70” quilt should have batting that is no smaller than 68” x 78”.) You can include it in the same package as your quilt top and backing, or you are purchasing it online for a particular quilt you can have it shipped directly to us. Just be sure the order includes your name so we can properly connect it to your project. A heads up that it is coming is also great. 

It is worth noting that while we now have a familiarity with many types of batting , introducing new elements is always an opportunity for things to get a little funky. We do not reduce pricing or tear out quilting/redo quilting if there are unexpected results caused by batting you’ve supplied. I’ve only ever had this happen with super thick, super cheap, or badly manufactured batting so don’t let the fine print here scare you off.

The info above usually covers most questions folks have about batting, however there are a few more regulars we get that are addressed below!

Frankenbatting: Yes! Go ahead and send us batting that has been cobbled together of various smaller pieces. It can be stitched together or you can use fusible batting tape. Just be sure it is secure, not for our sake, but for the longevity of your quilt. You do not want the batting to ball up within your quilt or create gaps when it shrinks after washing. 

Prewashing: We do not prewash our batting, however you are certainly welcome to prewash your own before you send it our way. It’s best to read the instructions on the packaging or visit the manufacturer’s website of the batting of your choice to see what they recommend in regards to prewashing. 

Spray Baste, No Thanks!: Occasionally, a quilter intends to quilt their quilt on their domestic machine and they spray baste their quilt sandwich. But then, life happens and they decide to send it to us. Excellent! However, all of that sticky basting spray is not great for the inner workings of my machines and we will not use batting that has been spray basted. Hang onto it for another project!

Do I Need Batting?: Maybe not! The purpose of batting is to provide a layer of insulation and warmth to the typically thinner layers of cotton of a quilt. However, if you are not using your quilt as an object to provide warmth, or if you are not using traditional quilting cotton, maybe you don’t need batting or maybe you can substitute something else. If you are using flannel for the top and/or backing fabrics then it’s common to use another layer of flannel in lieu of batting, or just skip the inner layer altogether. When a quilt has something extra soft, warm, or thick on the backing such as minky or fleece, batting is not necessary for warmth, though some prefer to still use it for the extra weight and quilting definition. I’ve also quilted items meant to be used as tablecloths or light clothing where we skip batting to keep it thin and drapable. 

Doubling Up on Batting: We occasionally get requests to double up on batting or use a combination of batting. If you know exactly what you want then I’m happy to do my best to accommodate you. If you are asking for my opinion or recommendation the first thing I’m going to do is ask what you are hoping to accomplish by doubling up. One of the only issues I caution folks against is two layers of high loft batting, such as wool, as it is almost too thick to go through my machine. It can cause issues with skipped stitches and pulled fabric on the quilt top especially if there are thick seams. 

What type of batting should I use?: That’s up to you! (Infuriating answer, I know). This blog post is more about batting options at TCQ. For guidance on what type of batting will be good for any given project I encourage you to look for articles that have been written by those who’ve done research on batting beyond what I have here. Some of my favorites are from Suzy Quilts, Lee Heinrich, and Diary of a Quilter.

Thanks so much for reading through! I hope it has helped. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

-Lilo